UEFA European Football Championship 1972 was held in Belgium

The 1972 UEFA European Football Championship (Euro 72) final tournament was held in Belgium. The European Football Championship, didn't change traditions. Endorsed by UEFA Belgium met the fourth competition. The final tournament took place between June 14 and June 18, 1972.
From the previous EURO Championship the rules stayed the same - only four countries could play the final tournament which meant that there were only the semi-finals, the final and the third place match.

The hosts were only announced after the qualifying round, which meant that they had to qualify, as well, for the final stage. The qualifying competition for the 1972 championship finals saw few surprises. In Group 7, however, the multi-skilled Dutch side came only second to 1968 runners-up Yugoslavia.
In the quarter-finals, which again acted as play-offs for Finals qualification, Hungary and Romania were drawn together and were difficult to separate.
After 1-1 and 2-2 draws, a third match was required which Hungary won 2-1 at home.

Holders Italy were not on hand to defend their European title in 1972, surprisingly defeated by Belgium over two legs in the quarter-finals.

Belgium, hosts for the Finals, delighted everyone by knocking out holders Italy. Having secured a 0-0 draw away, the Belgians played wonderfully well at home and knocked the Italians out 2-1 on aggregate. The USSR drew 0-0 away to Yugoslavia before knocking them out at home 3-0.

England met West Germany once again and, on a rain-sodden night at Wembley in the first leg, English hopes of European Championship success more or less "drowned".
The match had a capacity crowd on its feet throughout but it was evident early on that England had a tough task if they were to overcome a talented German team which, despite playing away, did not take on a defensive outlook.

Fast, attacking football often had England reeling. In midfield Netzer and Wimmer frequently tore holes in the English defence.
After 26 minutes West Germany went ahead when a shot from Uli Hoeness was deflected out of the reach of Banks and found its way into the net. At this period of the game, the class and skill of the Germans was obvieous but one felt that England had plenty in reserve to stay in the match.
Their play, however, lacked imagination and it seemed impossible to outwit Sepp Maier in the German goal.
The last six minutes, however, were disastrous. Firstly, Bobby Moore gave away a needless penalty which was converted by Netzer (although Banks was unfortunate not to bring off a great save); and secondly, Emlyn Hughes presented Muller with his one golden opportunity which he converted into the best goal of the match.
In the play-back match, a dreary game played in Berlin, both goalkeepers had a relatively trouble-free afternoon and the game was remarkable for the failure of either side to mount a credible attack on goal.The Belgians' reward for their heroics was to host the finals as the finals moved to the low countries for the first time.

With Lady Luck on a cigarette break, they drew the formidable West Germans in the last four. Despite lacking genuine class Belgium made a good account of themselves, eventually stopped by a rampant Gerd Muller. A brace from 'Der Bomber' was enough to seal a 2-1 win.

The USSR, perennial contenders, took on Hungary in the other semi-final, scraping through courtesy of a solitary Anatoly Konkov strike to reach their third final in four tournaments.

The Finals, in Belgium, drew the hosts against the favourites, West Germany, who duly won with two goals by the prolific Gerd Muller. The Soviet Union prevailed against Hungary in the other semi to reach their third Final in four tournaments.
The Germans won the Final comfortably, 3-0, thanks to another two goals from Muller, which brought his total, including qualifying, to 11 in the tournament.

Stadium:

Heysel Stadium, Brussels - Capacity: 50,000
Sclessin Stadium, Liège - Capacity: 31,000
Stade Émile Versé, Brussels - Capacity: 28,000
Bosuil Stadium, Antwerp - Capacity: 20,000 Squads

Qualifying Round

The qualifying round was played throughout 1970 and 1971 (group phase), and 1972 (quarter-finals). There were eight qualifying groups of four teams each. The matches were played in a home-and-away basis. Victories were worth 2 points, draws 1 point, and defeats 0 points. Only group winners could qualify for the quarter-finals. The quarter-finals were played in two legs on a home-and-away basis. The winners of the quarter-finals would go through to the final tournament.

The following teams participated in the final tournament:

• Belgium
• Hungary
• USSR
• West Germany

Final tournament

Semi-finals

1972-06-14 Belgium - West 1 – 2, Germany Bosuilstadion, Deurne
Referee: William J. Mullan (Scotland)

Polleunis 83' / Müller 24' 71'

1972-06-14 Hungary - USSR 0 – 1, Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, Brussels
Referee: Rudi Glöckner (Germany)

- / Konkov 53'

Third place play-off

1972-06-17 Hungary - Belgium 1 – 2, Stade Maurice Dufrasne, Liege
Referee: Johan Einar Boström (Sweden)

Ku 53' (pen.) / Lambert 24' Van Himst 28'

Final

1972-06-18 West Germany - USSR 3 – 0, Heysel Stadium, Brussels
Referee: Ferdinand Marschall (Austria)

Müller 27' 58' Wimmer 52'

Euro 1972 Champions - West Germany

Top scorers

4 goals: Gerd Müller (West Germany)
1 goal: Herbert Wimmer (West Germany), Anatoli Konkov (USSR), Raoul Lambert, Odilon Polleunis, Paul Van Himst (Belgium), Lajos Kű (Hungary)
Fastest goal
24 minutes: Raoul Lambert (Belgium vs Hungary); Gerd Müller (West Germany vs Belgium)